Strut for lifting a roof element used to cover a swimming pool and installation method thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a strut ( 300   a,    300   b,    300   c ) for lifting a roof element (I) and/or maintaining same in the open position, said roof element forming a swimming pool enclosure (A) that rests on the edge of the pool. The invention is characterised in that it includes a high end ( 310   a  and  310   b ) hinged to the edge of a roof element (I) and a low end ( 320   a  and  320   b ) joined to the ground by a securing means ( 400 ), so that it is possible to vary the position of the point at which the low end ( 320   a  and  320   b ) of the strut ( 300   a  and  300   b ) is joined to the ground. The invention also relates to the method for installing one such strut. The invention is suitable for swimming pool enclosures.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of the means of fastening, articulating and lifting roof elements comprising swimming pool shelters.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

It exists in prior art swimming pool shelters comprised of fixed, articulated, sliding telescopic roof elements, etc.

The edges of these roof elements must be maintained in position using a fastening lug providing at one end the link with the roof element and at another end a link with the ground or with the curb by means of a bolt. Conventionally, these lugs assume the pivot articulations required for the half-open position of the roof elements.

However, the dimensional tolerances of the roof elements, the expansion and the contraction of the latter as well as the positioning tolerances of the fastening holes of the fastening lugs, make for possible difficulty in implementing this maintaining in position by fastening lug.

In addition, when the roof elements are not of the same dimensions such as those used in a telescopic configuration proposing for example a nesting of at least one mobile roof element in a fixed roof element with larger dimensions, the position of the fastening holes and of the points of linking with the roof element differ from one roof element to another.

These disadvantages are even more substantial when the fastening lug is used as a plate linked in articulation to a lifting strut and in particular to a foldable lifting strut associated with a jack accompanying the opening and damping the closing of the roof element. These struts use the same fastening holes as the aforementioned fastening lugs. Furthermore, such struts adopt a kinematics where the various articulations must be precisely positioned. In the opposite case, the following disadvantages can appear:

-   -   the strut is placed in a horizontal position and forms an         obstacle,     -   the strut and therefore the roof element open untimely,     -   the strut and therefore the roof element require additional         effort for their opening,     -   the struts of the same roof element do not have the same         positioning,     -   the struts of different roof elements do not have the same         positioning and must therefore have different configurations.

To these disadvantages are added those linked with implementing the fastening to the ground carried out conventionally by a threaded link requiring screwing and unscrewing operations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Using this established fact as a starting point, the applicant has carried out research aiming to solve the problem of positioning inaccuracy of the fastening points and articulation of the roof elements of a swimming pool shelter. Another objective of the research carried out by the applicant was to guarantee the proper positioning of the struts in order to guarantee their proper operation and to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages.

This research has resulted in the designing and in the carrying out of a strut for lifting or for maintaining in open position a roof element comprising a swimming pool shelter resting on the edges of a pool that it covers. According to the invention, this strut is remarkable in that it comprises a high end linked in articulation to the edge of a roof element and a low end connected to the ground, via a means of fastening, making it possible to vary the position of the point of linking of the low end of the strut in relation to the ground.

This characteristic is particularly advantageous in that it makes it possible to correct the inaccuracies in positioning fastening holes for fastening plates to the ground. Furthermore, it makes it possible to take into account any dimensional variations in the elements comprising the roof shelter. It also makes it possible to be able to use the same strut model for several dimensions or configurations of the roof elements. As such, for example for a telescopic or semi-sliding shelter, the same lifting strut can be used for the lifting of the fixed element as well as for the lifting of the mobile element, despite the differences in dimensions and in positions of the fastening points in relation to the edge of the roof element.

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, said means of fastening is comprised of:

-   -   a flat surface bearing on the ground which is arranged with an         extended orifice,     -   at least one bearing receiving a pivot pin of the low end of the         strut,     -   a screw crossing said extended orifice and urged to become fixed         to a hole arranged in the edge of the pool,     -   the screw taking three positions:

a first position of fastening by clamping of the screw head bearing against the fastening plate,

a second position of partial clamping where the fastening plate can slide over the ground according to a course of travel defined by the extension of the orifice without releasing itself from the screw,

a third position of unclamping where the fastening plate is released from the ground.

The implementation of the adjusting of the position of the low end of the strut is therefore carried out very simply and at a least cost.

The adjusting of the position of the low end of the strut has the advantage of being able to adjust in a certain configuration the inclination of the strut. As such according to a particular configuration of the invention, the strut is broken down into two foldable portions of which the deployment and the folding are accompanied by a jack, the point of articulation of the low end of the strut defined by the axis of said bearings being arranged higher than the point of articulation of the high end of the strut with the edge of the roof element. This configuration associated with the adjusting of the position of the fastening plate is going to make it possible to vary the angle of inclination of the folded strut towards the shelter since a position substantially inclined towards the shelter of the retracted strut has for great advantage of overcoming the problems of the untimely opening of the strut.

As such, the strut of the invention makes it possible to consider a method of installation that is remarkable in that it consists in fixing the high end of the strut to the edge of the roof element, in fixing the low end of the strut to the ground and in sliding the fastening lug of the strut towards the shelter in such a way that the folded strut can be inclined towards the shelter avoiding any risk of untimely opening.

The fundamental concepts of the invention having just been exposed hereinabove in their most basic form, other details and characteristics shall become clearer when reading the following description and with regards to the annexed drawings, provided by way of a non-limiting example, an embodiment of a strut in accordance with the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a swimming pool shelter,

FIG. 2 is a general perspective view of a swimming pool shelter with a roof element open by means of conventional struts,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a swimming pool shelter with a roof element provided with a pair of foldable struts in closed position,

FIG. 4 shows the opening of the foldable struts in FIG. 3,

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 5 c show the method of installation of a foldable strut,

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of a fastening plate in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 7 is a top view of the plate in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Such as shown in the drawing in FIG. 1, the swimming pool shelter referenced as A in its entirety is comprised of a plurality of roof elements referenced as I. Each roof element I is comprised of a rigid frame 100 comprised of two bows 110 and 120 braced with longitudinal cross-pieces 130, the cross-pieces 131 and 132 of the ends of the bows 110 and 120 forming lateral edges resting on either side of the pool. This frame 100 serves as a support for transparent or non-transparent cover panels 200. As shown, these shelters are connected to the edge of the pool by means of fastening lugs.

In accordance with FIG. 2, two struts 300 a and 300 b provide the lifting and the maintaining in ajar position of the central roof element I which is articulated on one of its edges. In accordance with the invention, the struts 300 a and 300 b comprise a high end 310 a and 310 b linked in articulation to the edge of the roof element I and a low end 310 a and 310 b connected to the ground, via a means of fastening 400, making it possible to vary the position of the point of linking of the low end 320 a and 320 b of the strut in relation to ground.

According to an embodiment shown and in accordance with the invention, the displacement proposed is a transversal displacement shown by the arrows F1 authorizing the separating or the coming closer together of the low end of the strut in relation to the edge of the roof element.

The drawings in FIGS. 3 to 7 show an embodiment linked to a strut 300 c in two foldable portions 330 c and 340 c of which the folding and the deployment accompanied by a jack 500 respectively provide the opening (cf. FIG. 3) or the closing (cf. FIG. 4) of the roof element.

As shown in the drawing in FIGS. 6 and 7, said means of fastening 400 is comprised of:

-   -   a flat surface 410 bearing on the ground which is arranged with         an extended orifice 420,     -   two bearings 411 and 412 receiving a pivot pin (not shown) of         the low end of the strut 320 c,     -   a screw (of which the section of the rod 600 is shown as short         dashes in FIG. 7) crossing said extended orifice 420 and urged         to become fixed to a hole (not shown) arranged in the edge of         the pool.

According to a characteristic not shown, said pin is associated with a thumbwheel facilitating its manipulation.

In order to allow for the displacement of the position of the low end of the strut by relative sliding of the means of fastening 400 along the oblong hole 420 in relation to the fixed rod 600, the screw 600 and its head take three positions:

-   -   a first position of fastening by clamping of the screw head         bearing against the means of fastening 400 in order to maintain         it in position and as such fix the low end of the jack,     -   a second position of partial clamping where the means of         fastening 400 can slide over the ground according to a course of         travel defined by the extension of the orifice without releasing         itself from the screw,     -   a third position of unclamping where the means of fastening 400         is released from the ground.

As shown, said bearings 411 and 412 define the support of an axis parallel to the edge of the roof element I.

Likewise, said extended orifice 420 is carried out between said two bearings 411 and 412 which reduces the space required for the means of fastening. Said extended orifice 420 is comprised of a series of holes 421 of likewise diameter spaced and connected in relation to one another by a groove 422 of a width less than said diameter, this passage between the holes allowing for the displacement of the means of fastening 400 in relation to the rod 600 which remains fixed. According to an embodiment not shown, the extended hole is comprised or is associated with a slit communicating with the oblong hole and opening onto one of the sides of the means of fastening in such a way as to facilitate the installation and the use thereof. Another characteristic not shown facilitating the adjusting of the position is that said screw cooperates with a spring sleeve occupying the hole made in the ground in such a way as to propose the position of partial clamping without an operation of unscrewing . . . (to be developed)

The effects sought in terms of the possibility of varying the position of the low end of a foldable strut are shown in FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 5 c which schematically show the articulations used.

As shown in these figures, the mobility of the plate 400 allows the strut 300 c to form a succession of pivot links of axes parallel to the edge of the roof element. The low end 320 c of said strut forms a pivot link P1 with its means of fastening 400, the two portions 330 c and 340 c of the strut 300 c are articulated one in relation to the other by a pivot link P2 and the high end or head of the strut 310 c is articulated to the edge of the roof element by a connecting rod forming a double pivot link P3 and P4.

According to the embodiment shown, the point of articulation P1 of the low end of the strut defined by the axis of said bearings is arranged higher than the point of articulation of the high end of the strut with the edge of the roof element. This positioning makes it possible, using two half-struts of the same length to pre-incline towards the shelter, the strut connected even before adjustment of the position.

As shown and in accordance with the method of the invention, once the high end 310 c of the strut 300 c fixed to the edge of the roof element I, and the low end 320 a of the strut 300 c attached to the ground, the means of fastening 400 of the strut 300 c is displaced according to the arrow F2 towards the shelter in such a way that the folded strut inclines towards the shelter according to the arrow F3. The inclination is maximally accentuated in order to allow for the coming together of the elements comprising the struts with the bows of the roof elements. As explained hereinabove, this inclination avoids any untimely opening of the roof element. It has another advantage in that it avoids the folded strut from becoming a protruding obstacle on the edge of the pool.

It is understood that the strut, which has been described and shown hereinabove, was described and shown in terms of a divulgation rather than a limitation. Of course, diverse arrangements, modifications and improvements can be made to the example hereinabove, without however leaving the scope of the invention. 

1. Strut for the lifting and/or maintaining in open position of a roof element comprising a swimming pool shelter resting on the edges of a pool that it covers, the strut being of the type of that comprising a high end linked in articulation to the edge of a roof element and a low end linked to the ground, via a means of fastening, making it possible to vary the position of the point of linking of the low end of the strut in relation to the ground, characterized by the fact that said means of fastening is comprised of a flat surface bearing on the ground which is arranged with an extended orifice, a bearing receiving a pivot pin of the low end of the strut, a screw crossing said extended orifice and urged to become fixed to a hole arranged in the edge of the pool, the screw taking three positions: a first position of fastening by clamping of the screw head bearing against the means of fastening, a second position of partial clamping where the means of fastening can slide over the ground according to a course of travel defined by the extension of the orifice without releasing itself from the screw, a third position of unclamping where the means of fastening is released from the ground.
 2. Strut according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said bearings define the support of an axis parallel to the edge of the roof element.
 3. Strut according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said extended orifice is carried out between said two bearings.
 4. Strut according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is broken down into two foldable portions and of which the deployment and the folding are accompanied by a jack and by the fact that the point of articulation of the low end of the strut defined by the axis of said bearings is arranged higher than the point of articulation of the high end of the strut with the edge of the roof element.
 5. Strut according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said extended orifice is comprised by a series of holes of the same diameter spaced and connected in relation to one another by a groove of a width less than said diameter.
 6. Strut according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said pin is associated to a thumbwheel facilitating its manipulation.
 7. Strut according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said screw cooperates with a spring sleeve occupying the hole made in the ground in such a way as to propose the position of partial clamping without an operation of unscrewing.
 8. Method of installing a foldable strut according to claim 4, the method comprising fixing the high end of the strut to the edge of the roof element, in fixing the low end of the strut to the ground and in sliding the means of fastening of the strut towards the shelter in such a way that the folded strut can be inclined towards the shelter. 